Motor controller



-,Apr. 3, 1923. 1,450,898

' H. W. CHENEY MOTOR CONTROLLER Filed Dec. 6, 1919 Patented Apr. 3, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT W. CHENEY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO ALLIS-CHALMERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

MOTOR CONTROLLER.

Application filed December 6, 1919. Serial No. 343,402.

T 0 all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that HERBERT 1V. CHENEY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, has invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Motor Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to motor controllers and more particularly to controllers or starters of the potential type having oil, starting and running positions.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a motor controller of simple construction which is at the same time efiicient in operation. Another object of the invention is the provision of a motor controller in which the number of contacts has been reduced to a minimum.

Other objects will appear hereinafter as the description of the invention proceeds.

The novel features of this invention will appear from this specification and the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof and disclosing several embodiments of the invention, and all these novel features are intended to be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the invention in diagrammatic form as it may be applied in a three-phase potential starter.

Fig. 2 shows the invention in diagrammatic form as it may be applied in a threephase potential starter of drum type.

Fig. 3 shows the invention in diagrammatic form as it may be applied in a two phase potential starter.

eferring now to Fig. 1, a motor 26 is shown as connectible to a three-phase supply 1 through a potential starter comprising movable contacts 5, 12, 17, 23, 25. These movable contacts are normally in the off position O and may be moved by any suitable mechanism, preferably such a one as shown in applicants co-pending application Serial No. 334,887, filed October 29, 1919, into contact with either the relatively stationary contacts 4, 11, 16, 22, 24 respectively, in the starting position S, or into contact with the relatively stationary contacts 6, 13, 18, in the running position R. Three of the mov able contacts 17, 23, 25 are electrically unitary, being normally connected by any suitable connectors, and these three contacts are connectible to one of the phases of the threephase supply by means of a lead 27. The other two movable contacts 5, 12 are respectively connectible to the other two pslgiages of the three-phase supply by leads 2 9.

Auto-transformers 10, 21 are here shown as having their respective terminals connected to the relatively stationary starting contacts 4, 22 and 11, 24:, the remaining starting contact shown as electrically connected to one of the running contacts 18. The latter contact and the other two running contacts 13, 6 are connectible respectively to the terminals of motor 26 through leads 19, 15, 8.

Running contacts 6, 13 are here shown as having permanent connection with the intermediate points 9, 20 in the auto-transformers 10, 21 respectively, through leads 2, 3. These leads are shown connected to leads 8, 15 at the points 7, 14, but it is of course to be understood that it is immaterial where these points of connection are located so long as when a given motor, as motor 26, has been connected to the terminals 6, 13, 18 of the potential starter, two of the motor terminals will have permanent connection with intermediate points in the auto-transformers.

The electrical connections made between the polyphase supply and the motor when the movable contacts of the starter are moved first to starting position S and then to running position R will be clear to a person skilled in the art and it is suflicient to state that in the starting position autotransformer 10 is connected across phase 2729 and auto-transformer 21 is connected across phase 27-28, and by reason of the permanent connections 2, 3 between two of the motor terminals and intermediate points in said auto-transformers and the connection between lead 19 and contact 16 the motor will receive less than the full potential of the polyphase supply line. In the running position, leads 8, 15, 19 will be electrically connected to phase conductors 29, 28, 27 respectively, by reason of contact between movable conductors 5, 12, 17 and relatively stationary conductors 6, 13, 18, and the motor will thus be supplied with full line potential.

The efiiciency and economy of the present arrangement of contacts and connections is still further enhanced by combining therewith a movable contact operating means such as is disclosed in the co-pending application hereinbefore referred to, whereby themovable contacts and in particular contacts 5, 12, 17 may have but a single contact face respectively, which is adapted to make contact with the corresponding relatively sta tionary contact in both the starting and running position.

The fundamental principles of connection embodied in Fig. 1 may also be applied in a controller of the drumtype as has been shown in Fig. 2 where contacts 33, 43, 54 and 31, 42, 56 are movable, the first named set being connectible to relatively stationary contacts 35, 44, 45, 49, 55, such connection constituting the starting position, and the second set being connectible to relatively stationary contacts 34, 45, 57, such connection constituting the running position. Autotransformers 39, 51 have their respective terminals connected to relatively stationary contacts 35, 44 and 49, 55, a permanent connection being made between intermediate points inthe auto-transformers to the points 37, 52 so that when a motor 47 is connected to the starter electrical connections will exist between two terminals of said motor to these r intermediate points through the leads 40, 50,

in connection with Fig. 1. minal of the motor is connectible through in a manner similar to that already described The other terlead 46 to relatively stationary contact 45. Leads 40, 50 are also connected through the connectors 36, 53 to relatively stationary contacts 34, 57 respectively.

Movable contacts 31, 42, 56 are connectible to the phases of the three-phase supply through leads 38, 41, 48 respectively, and thus also contacts 33, 43, 54 by reason of the connection of the latter with the former either by connectors 32 or by the casting of these movable contacts in integral pairs.

It will be observed that movable contact 43 corresponds in its electrical effect in the starting position to the three contacts 17 23, 25 of Fig. 1 and it will be apparent that the latter contacts might also be made in one piece as indicated in Fig. 2, although three active contact surfaces are in effect provided by reason of cooperation with three relatively stationary surfaces.

From the above description the operation of the controller disclosed in Fig. 2 will be apparent.

In Fig. 3 the principles of connection cmbodied in the three-phase controllers are shown as they may be applied in a two-phase controller. This controller may comprise movable cont-acts 62, 69, 74, 78, 83, 86, which,

when moved to the left in Fig. 3, are connectible to the relatively stationary contacts 61.. 68, 73,77, 82, 85, such connection constituting the starting position S. When the movable contacts are moved to the right in Fig. 3 contacts 62, 69, 74, 83 are connectible respectively to relatively stationary contacts 63, 70, 75, 84, such connection constituting the running position R. Auto-transformers 67 81 have their respective terminals connected to relatively stationary contacts 61, 77 and 68, 85, a permanent connection being made between intermediate points 66, 80 in the auto-transformers to points 64, 71 through leads 60, 59 respectively. Connection is thus made to the leads 65, 72, connectible to two of the terminals of motor 87, and what has been stated with respect to these permanent connections with respect to Figs. 1 and 2 also applies here. Remaining starting contacts 73, 82 are connectible to the other two motor terminals by reason of the connectors between these contacts and contacts 75, 84 respectively, through leads 76, 79.

Of the movable contacts, contacts 74, 78 are connected together and to a phase conductor 90 of a. polyphase supply 58; contacts 83, 86 are likewise connected together and to a phase conductor 89. The remaining movable contacts 62, 69 are connected respectively to phase conductors 88, 91.

The electrical connections made between the two-phase supply and the motor when the movable contacts of the starter are moved first to starting position S and then to running position R will be clear to a person skilled in the art and it is sufiicient to stat-e that in the starting position auto-transformer 67 is connected across phase 88- 90 and auto-transformer 81 is connected across phase 9189, and by reason of the permanent connections 59, 60 between two of the motor terminals and intermediate points in said auto-transformers and the connections between leads 76, 79 and contacts. 73, 82 respectively, the motor will receive phase conductors 88, 91, 90, 89 respectively.

by reason of contact between movable contacts 62, 69, 74, 83, relatively stationary contacts 63. 7 O, 7 5, 84, and the motor will thus be supplied with full line potential.

WVhat has been stated in connection with the controllers illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with respect to the formation of contacts in integral pairs, and the utilization of the movable contact operating means, as disclosed in applicants co-pending application, applies equally well tothe two-phase controller illustrated in Fig. 3.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention claimed to the exact details of construction herein shown It is claimed and desired ters Patent:

1. A motor controller having starting and running positions, comprising five movable contacts three of which are connectible to a given supply line, each of the other two belng connectible to a'supply line, a pair of auto-transformers, five relatively stationary contacts in said starting position four of which are connected to the respective terminals of said auto-transformers, three relatively stationary contacts in said running position which cooperate with three of said line-connectible movable contacts, and one of which is connected to the remaining startmg contact.

2. In a three-phase motor controller, means adapted to connect said motor through a transformer to a three-phase supply line, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line, said two means including in common five movable permanently line-connected contacts.

3. In a polyphase motor controller, means adapted to connect said motor through a transformer to a polyphase supply line, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line, said two means including in common movable permanently line-connected contacts in number two more than the number of line wires.

4. In a three-phase motor controller, a transformer, tap-off points on said transformer permanently connected to respective motor terminals, means adapted to connect said motor through said transformer to a three-phase supply line, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line, said two means including thirteen relatively movable contacts.

5. A three-phase motor controller having a starting and running position, five stationary contacts in alinement in said starting position, auto-transformers donnected to certain of said contacts, five movable per manently line-connected contacts adapted to cooperate with said five stationary contacts, three stationary contacts in alinement in said running position, cooperable with three of said movable contacts and connectible to a motor, means whereby when said movable contacts are in starting position said motor will be connected to said line through said auto-transformer and when said movable contacts are in running position said motor will be connected directly to the line.

6. A three-phase motor controller having a starting and running position, auto-transformers, means including a movable contact carrying member for connecting one each of said auto-transformer terminals to a line wire and to one of said motor terminals when said controller is in starting position. means including contacts in alineto secure by Letment with said contact member for connecting the remaining auto-transformer terminals to two other line wires, and means including three motor-connectible contacts for connecting said motor directly to said line wires whenthe controller is in the runningpos-ition.

7. In a three-phase motor controller, a transformer, tap-off points on said transformer permanently connected to respective motor terminals, means adapted to connect said motor through said transformer to a three-phase supply line, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line, said two means including in common five movable, permanently line-connected contacts 8. In a polyphase motor controller, a transformer, tap-off points on said transformer permanently connected to respective motor terminals, means adapted to connect said motor through said transformer to a polyphase supply line, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line, said two means including in common movable,

permanently line-connected contacts in number two more than the number of line wires.

9. In a three-phase motor controller, having ofl, starting and running positions, means adapted to connect said motor through a transformer to a three-phase supply line in the starting position and completely disconnecting said motor and transformer from the line in off position, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line in the running position, said two means including in common only five movable, permanently line-connected contacts.

10. In a polyphase motor controller, having ofi', starting and running positions, means adapted to connect said motor through a transformer to a polyphase supply line in the starting position and completely disconnecting said motor and transformer from the line in off position, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line in the running position, said two means cluding in common movable, permanently line-connected contacts in number two more than the number of line wires.

11. In a three-phase motor controller, having off, starting and running positions, means adapted to connect said motor through a transformer to a three-phase supply line in the starting position and completely disconnecting said motor and transformer from the line in off posit-ion, and means adapted to connect said motor directly to said line in the running position, said two means including thirteen relatively movable contacts.

12. In a polyphase motor controller, relatively stationary starting contacts, means including said starting contacts adapted to connect said motor through a transformer 1 to a polyphase supply line, relatively sta-' line wires, the number ofsaid starting-contionary running contacts, ancl means inclucltacts being also only two more than the numing said running contacts adapted to conber of line Wires. neat said motor directly to saicl supply line In testimony wher the Signature 0 said twomeans including in common movthe inventor is afiixecl hereto. V

able permanently line-connected contacts in 1 a number only two more than the number of HERBERT WJCHENEYQ 

